Bobbin-handling apparatus.



B. A. PETERSON. BOBBIN HANDLING APPARATUS. APPLICATION men MAYIO. 1915.

Patented Feb. 26, 11918.

5 SHEETSQSHEET I.

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B. A. PETERSON.

BOBBIN HANDLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAYIO. l9l5- Patented. Feb. 26, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

B. A. PETERSON. BOBBIN HANDLING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAYIO, I915.

Patented Feb. 26, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3- 41 ILIL J J :rL. l 41 [LIL 1. 11 LIL IJIJ ITL IE I:

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A. PETERSON,

BOBBIN HANDLING APPARATUS. APPLICATION ugo MA-Y10.-l9l5- Patented Feb. 26, 1918.

5 SHEETS SHEET 4.

B. N. PETERSON.

BOBBIN HANDLING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 10. l9l5.

htnted Feb-26,1918.

5 SHEET8-SHEET 5- 4/ I f L 63 Men/$01".-

13w? Peknwa i To all whom it. may concern.

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LUTHER I. MILLER, M JD HARRY A. SEVJERSON,

F ROCKFORD, ILLINUIS, COIIPARTL 1 ITEM DUING BUSINESS AS BARBER-COLEMAN COMPANY.

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Be it known that ll, Bum A. Pn'rnnson,

a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois, have nvented certain new and useful Improvements in Bobbin-Handling Apparatus.

This invention relates to apparatus for placing bobbins in-a predetermined uniform arrangement, in order,-for example, that the bobbins may be expeditiously placed inthe; 5 magazines of spinning frame doflers. In some aspects,,the object of the invention is, to improve the apparatus shown in Patentj No. 1,108,097,. issued August 18, 1914, but I it will be understood that certain features of the invention are-not limited to apparatus of the type disclosed in said paten Among the salient objects of the invention are to provide means for automatically controlling the supply of bobbins in accordance with the needs of the'apparatus;

to rovide' means-for preventing said 0011- tro lin means from becoming moperative throng clogging with bobbins;' to provlde means, above the slotted bobbin-arranging structure to prevent bobbins from becoming and to provide means for guiding the butts.

caught in the mechanism; to make the alining fingers yieldable; to provide means for clo'sing the lower end of the bobbinarranging structure against the escape of bobbins;

of crowded bobbins into the magazine. v lin the, accompanying drawings, Figure 1 isa side elevation of an apparatus embodying the features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a view of the upper .end of the slotted bob-- bin-arranging structure, the trough that dischar es the bobbins onto said structure beingmdicated in dotted lines. 7 Fig. 3' is a fragmental view taken in the'plane of dotted lines 3'3 of Fi '1. Fig. 4 is afragmental sectional view 0 the slottedbobbin-arrangingfstructure and the alinin devices cooperating therewith. Fig. 5 1s a sectional view upon an enlarged scaletaken in the plane of dotted line 55,of Fig. 4. Fig. {6'

is afragmentaltop planview of an endless apron-carrying bobbin-alining devices.

Fig. 7 is a view taken in the plane of dotted line 7 olEFig. 8'. Fig. 8 is a fragmental top plan view of the lower end of the slotted.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application and an in, rain term it). me.

atented Feb. acti ate.

bobbin arranging structure showing a magaz1ne inoperative relation thereto. .Fi 9 is a fra mental top planjviewof thed riw ing mec anism. Fig. 10 is a fragmen'tal view illustratin the sensitively-controlled means-ion sha g the above mentioned trough. F1 11 is. a-sectional view taken a proximate 112 in the plane of dotted line 11 o Fig-10. ig. 12 is-a view looking-from the right-hand side of 'Fi 10.

"While the embodiment s own in the draw I.

ings is particularly intended to handle weft;

or-filling bobbins, it will be understood that the invention maybe embodied in appara-- bins.

The present embodiment, of the invention is adapted to place-the bobbins in themagatus for operating upon other :kinds of' bobj-fifi,

zine of a spinning-frame dofl'er, but itwillz" a be evident that certain features of the in-f ventionare applicable to apparatus for fill- It:

ing other kinds of. bobbin magazines. The

formof dofi'er magazine a herein shownvis substantially similar to that disclosedinlPat ent No.- 1,122,417, dated Dec. 29, 1914, and

is adapted to contain seven rows of bobbins,

the tips of all the bobbins-extending in the s'ame direction.

.Bobbins are supplied from anysuitable source, as, 'for example, an elevated bin or hopper 1. 'A trough 2 is suspended by means ofthe links 3 belowlthe Iv 2 is arranged to '.be reciprocated or 'shaken to the apparatus closed by. means of a ate 41 which is inged at its lower endto t e trough, the upper rods 5 carried by the hopper 1. The trough" to dischargebobbin's from the lower end of the trough to the apparatus for arrang ingthe bobbins with their tips extending in the same direction and for-arranging the bobbins in rows ready tobe inserted into a magazine a. Theflmeans for shaking the' trough 2 will be described hereinafter;

The apparatus for arranging the bobbins for introduction .into the magazine a. comi'ee prises a downwardly inclined structure'b I having longitudinal downwardly-extending vslots 7 therein (see. Fi g. 2).. j These slots are defined by spaced rails 8 and plates 9.

The slots 7 are of greater width than the diameter of the tips of the bobbins, but of less width than the greatest diameter of the butts of the bobbins. The bobbins therefore may hang in said slots with their butts supportedupon the edges of the rails 8, as shown in Figs. 5 and 8. The bobbins shaken from the trough 2 drop upon the slotted structure 6 and commence rolling or sliding down said structure; in so doing the majority of the bobbins become 'alined with the slots and swing downwardly into the slots. To assist in alinin the bobbins with the slots there is provlded means comprising two endless sprocketchains 10 (Figs. 5 and 6) carried by sprocket wheels 11 and 12 (Fi 4), the wheels 11 being fixed upon a sha t 13, and the sprocket wheels 12 being carried upon a shaft 14. Oppositelinks of the chains 10 are rigidly connected together by means of plates 15, which plates overlap slightly, as indicated in Fig. 4. The

chains 10 and plates 15 thus constitute anendless apron 16. The lower run of the apron is guided to move parallel with the inclined structure 6 by means of two pairs of guide bars 17 (Fig. 5) fixed in the framework of the machine, the chains 10 running between said bars. The upper run of the apron is prevented from sagging by means of two guide bars 18 which support the chains between the sprocket wheels 11 and 12. It will be seen that the plates 15 constitute a cover' for the adjacent portion of the'slotted structure and prevent bobbins frfimlbeing caught in the chains and sprocket w es s.

Moving with the apron 16 is a series of fin'g rs 19 for raking the bobbins and thus to assist in alining them with theslots. Each finger is'pivoted upon a rod 20 carried by' the chains 10. Rigid with each finger 19 is a projection 21 to which is connected one end of a spring 22, the other end of the spring being attached to a rod 23 carried by the chains 10. The normal position of the finger under the action of the spring 22 is determined by contact of the finger with the edge of an openin 24 (Fig. 6) in the adjacent plate 15. Whlle the fingers 19 may I be disposed in any suitable order, they are preferably arranged in echelon, as best shown in Fig. 6. As the fingers 19 travel upwardly they come into contact with any bobbins which may be rolling or sliding down the inclined structure 6 and thereby turn such bobbins into alinement with the slots, whereupon the bobbins swing downwardly into the desired position. During the working portion of the travel of the fingers '19 they are held against lateral displacement by reason of the fact that the ends of the fingers travel through grooves 25 (Figs. 4 and 5) inythe upper edges of the rails 8. As shownin Fig. 5,,the fingers 19 travel in the spaces between the rows of properly-positioned bobbins.

Means is provided for preventing the bobbins from rolling or sliding down the inclined structure so far that the fingers 19 are unable to aline them. In the present embodiment, the means referred to consists of a plurality of ally supported upon one of the rods 20. As the guard plates 26 move upwardly, they arrest any unalined bobbins which otherwise would roll or slide too far down the inclined structure. If some of the bobbins in the slots 7 should become crowded so close together that the butts of some of the bobbins are above the proper plane, the plates 26 force the bobbins up along the slots until the bobbins drop into proper position. In order that the guard plates 26 shall not interfere with the operation of alining the bobbins, means is provided to swing the plates upwardly after they have passed the point where they are needed, which "means consists of two guide surfaces 27 the apron 16. The plates 29 are continued upwardly around the ends of the apron and along the sides of the upper run of the apron. The rollers 28 run in contact with the edges of the said plates as shown in Fig. 4. Each guard plate 26 is yieldingly held in operative position by means of two springs 30 (Figs. 4 and 5), each of said springs being connected at one end to a lug (Fig. 4) rigid with the plate and at the other end to one of the rods 23. Adjacent to the "lower end of the path of movement of the fingers 19 and guard-plates 26 is a series of vertical plates 32 (Figs. 1 and 3), each-located in the vertical plane of one of the rails 8 and serving to stop any bobbin which might descend thus far without having entered one of the slots 7. Any such bobbin would be carried up by theplates 26 (Fig. 4) until it entered one of the slots. The two outerplates 32 are in the same vertical plane as the plates 29 and are connected to the latter.

The lower end of the slotted structure 6 is closed against the discharge of bobbins by means of a gate 33 (Figs. 7 and 8), said gate consisting of an elongated plate which is slidably mounted in guides 34 and 35 at opposite sides of the slotted structure. The gate 33 is provided at one end with a handle 36. The other end of the gate is made wedging so as to be adapted to data 1111 th operative position. 'in133; e nding through a slot 33 'in t e gateelimits the movement of. the gate.."-..

During the operatiomof a: zine a, the magazine is sutaported ininelined position with its openen re ring with the lower end of the 'slotte f'structure" 6.

The open end of the. magazine. rests-upon a: support 37, the lowerfen'd ofjthe mazme being held in place by means of a step'l'bar drawn.

38. 39 (Fig-7) isa statiorybar extend-1 ing transversely of theslotted structure .16-in. front ofthe upper end 1013" the.magazine.at, one face of said .bar being 'beveled toservev as a guide in directing into-the magazine any bobbins which may have been crowdedv so close together that their butts areabov the normal or proper position- When a magazine is to, be filled, the

upon the support 37 the lower end of the magazine restingagainst the. stop bar38. The gate 33 is then withdrawmwhereupon bobbins slide down the inclined structure 6 and into the magazineuntiljthe latter is filled. The operator then returns the gate 33 to its normal position to prevent the escape of bobbinswhen the magazine is -with- The means for shaking the trough 2 and for regulatingthe discharge'ot bobbins from i the trough will now be described. A 40 (Fig. 1) ispivotally connected at one end.

-' to the trough 2. and at its other endto an a link 46, the lower end of which has a slot 3 arm 41 (Figs. 10 and 12). The arm 41- is mounted to swing on the center 42. The

weight of the trough 2. and its contents tends to holdthe arm 41 against an'ad ustable stop 43; Rigid with the arm 41' is a' 4'Z'therein (see Fig. 1).. A crankpin 4.8

carriedby an arm 49-operates in the slot 47. The arm 49 is. fixed to a shaft 50 (Fig. 9). The shaft 50 is driven by an electric motor v I 51 through the gearings"52, '53, 54, 55 and 50' and the sprocket. chain59; "The gear seg- 56, the sprocket wheels 57jand 58 (Fig. 1)

ment 45 is pivotally supported upon the lower end of a lever-60 Figs. 10- and 12) which lever is pivoteduponthe center 42.

61 is a stop adjacent to the lower end of the lever 60 to limit the-pivotal movement of" the-lever in one direction; Means sensitive to the presence of bobbins on the upper portion of the slotted structure 6. is provided to lock the lever 60 againstjpivotal movement in'the opposite direction; en the-lever 60 is 'free to swing upon the 'am's 42, the

weight of the trough 2' and its eontents is sufiicient to hold the arm .41afiainst the stop 43, the seent 45 rolling i y on 'the segg aimagaf 68. Rigidwith'the shatt67 to which is fixed a bar 70.

' is fixed a plurality of upwardly extending feeler fingers 71. The upper portions of the oper-' i -feeler fingers extend through slots 7 2 formed ator places the open end of the magazine v v ment on the le'ver60-is not at liberty; bobbins when the gate 18 return v torte to. swing, the oscilltationof the seent 45".

ture

end of said detent being adapted to lie in' the horizontal plane of e upper end ot-the .='cau'ses theseent to swing and thus thefi; j trough 2 is reciprocate'd to shake bobbins" onto-the upper portion of the slotted strueafte lever 60 and prevent movement of said lever. Thedetent 62 is rigidly connectedto a era .arm 64 which is connected through a link 65 to an arm- 66.. The arm 66 is fixed to a rock-shaft 67 carried in knife-"edge bearings is an arm .69, To the bar 70 in all of the rails 8 except the two outer rails. A spring 73 tends to turn the shaft 67 in the direction to placethe upper ends of the fingers-71 above the upper surfaces of the rails 8. '74 is a; stop to limit theaction of the spring 73;

When there is a suficient quantity of unalined bobbins lying upon the rails 8 at the upper end of the alining devices 16, 19 and *26,the bobbins will hold the fingers 71 depressed against the action of the spring 73 and thus hold the detent 62 above the upper end of the lever 60. The crank49 will then cause thelever 60 to swing the arm 41 remaining in contact with the stop 43. en

the mass of unalinedbobbins has been so reduced that the remaining bobbins are not able to overcome the. spring 73, said spring causes the detent 62 to swing into the'path of movement of the lever 60, whereupon the oscillations. of the segment 45 causes the arm41 to swing-until suficient bobbins have been shaken from the trough 2 to depress the feeler fingers 71.-

It sometimes happens that bobbins will become jammed between the feeler fingers 71 and thus prevent said feeler fingers from descending, even though there be a suficient supply of bobbins "upon the slotted structure 6. To prevent the continued operation of the shaker 2 undersuch circumstances, I

provide positive means for periodically low- ,ering the feeler fingers 71; This means comprises a cam arm 75 fixed to a shaft 7 6 and arran ed to revolve into contact with a block 7 fixed upon the arm 66. The cam arm 75 is revolved. at-a relatively low speed by means of a chain belt 7 8 running over a sprocket wheel 79 fixed on the shaft 76 and over a sprocket wheel 80 (Fig. 9). The

wheel 81 that meshes wltha pinion 82 fixed ion a shaft 83. The shaft 83 carries the spur sprocket wheel 80 is ri 'd with a spur gear arm 75 isrevolved into contact with the block 77, the arm 66 is moved to positively withdraw the fingers 71 from above the rails 8, ,thus releasing any bobbins that might While I have described the present embodiment of the invention with .considerable particularity, such description of details is not to be construed as a limitation of the invention, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination of a plurality of spaced rails providing, bobbinreceiving slots, a vibratory support for shaking bobbins onto said rails means for vibrating said support, means including a plurality of fingers movable through said rails into position to bear against bobbins lying on sa1d rails for controlling the .operatlon of-said vibratingmeans, and means for withdrawing said fingers from contact with the bobbins.

2. The combination of a lurality of spaced rails providing bobbin recelving slots, means to discharge bobbins upon sai rails, means includin a plurality of fingers movable through said rails into position to bear against bobbins lying on said rails for controlling the operation of said discharging means, and means for withdrawing sa1d fingers from contact with the bobbins.

3The combination of an inclined structure havin longitudinal slots to receive rows of bo bins, means for supporting a bobbin magazine with its open end adjacent to the lower end of said structure, and a slidable gate to prevent the escape of bobbins from the lower end of said structure.

4. In bobbin-handling apparatus, in combination, a slotted structure on which bobbins may move, means for dischargingbobbins onto said structure, and means including a finger located between two slots of sa1d structure and. adapted to bear against bobbinslying on said structure for controlling the operation of said discharging means.

5. The combination of a lurality of s aced rails providing bobb1n-rece1ving s ots, a vibratory support for shaking bobbins onto said rails, means for vibrating said sppport, and means including a lurality 0 into position to bear against bobbins lying on sa1d rails for controlling the operation of said vibrating means.

6. The combination of a lurality of spaced rails providing bobbm-receiving slots, means to discharge bobbins upon said rails, and means includin a plurality of fingers movable throu h sa1d rails into position to bear against bobbins lying on said .said support, a

fingers movable through sai rails rails for controlling the operation of said discharging means.

' 7. The combination of a movable support for bobbins, means includin gearin for shaking said support to disc arge b0 bins therefrom, means for driving the gearing, a movable support for one of the earing elements and means for locking sa1d last mentioned support against movement.

8. The combination of a movable support for bobbins, means includin gearin for shaking said support to discllarge bo bins therefrom, means for driving the gearing a movable support for one of the gearing elements, means for locking the last mentioned support against movement, and bobbincontrolle'd means for operating ing) means.

The combination of a movable sup ort for bobbins, a pivoted arm connecte to said support, gearing for actuating said arm,

means for driving the gearing, a movable support for one of the caring elements and means for locking said last mentioned support against movement.

10. The combination of a movable support for bobbins, a gear segment connected to second gear segment meshing with the first gear segment, means for oscillating the second. gear segment, a movable support for the second gear segment, and means for locking said segment support against movement.

11 he combination of: a movable support for bobbins, a pivoted arm connected to saidsupport, a gear segment connected to said arm, a second gear segment meshing with the first gear segment, means for oscillating the second gearsegment, a movable support for the second gear segment, and means for locking said segment support against movement.

12. The combination of a movable support for bobbins, a pivoted arm connected to said support, a stop against which said arm normally rests, a lever ivoted intermediate its ends on the axis 0 said arm, an element supported by said lever, an element connected to said arm and engaging the first mentioned element, means to actuate the first mentioned element, and means for means for controlling, pivotal movement of said lever. 14. The combination of a movable su port for bobbms, an arm connected to sai supnames port, a stop against which said arm normally rests, a lever. pivoted intermediate its ends on the axis of said arm, a gear segment fixed to said arm, an intermeshing gear segment pivoted on one end of said lever, means for oscillating the second mentioned segment, and two stops cooperating to prevent movement of said lever, one of said stops being withdrawable.

15. The combination of a movable support for bobbins, an arm connected to said support, a stop against which said arm normally rests, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends on the axis of said arm, a gear segment fixed to said arm, an intermeshing gear segment pivoted on one endof said lever, means for oscillating the second mentioned segment, two stops cooperating to prevent movement of said lever, and bobbincontrolled means for withdrawing one of said stops.

16. In bobbin-handling apparatus, in combination, an inclined longitudinally slotted structure down which bobbins may slide, and an endless cover arranged to move along and above said structure, said cover comprising two endless chains, and plates extending from one chain to the other and lying substantially in the plane of movement of the chains.

17. The combination of an inclined structure having longitudinal slots to receive rows of bobbins, means for supporting a bobbin magazine with its open end adjacent to the lower end of said structure, and a guide bar extending above and adjacent to one end of the magazine for directing displaced bobbins into the magazine.

18. The combination of an inclined structure having longitudinal slots to receive rows of bobbins, withdrawable means to prevent the escape of bobbins from the lower end of said structure, means for supporting a bobbin magazine with its open end adjacent to the lower end of said structure, and means for directing displaced bobbins into the magazine.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

BURT A. PETERSON.

In the presence of FLORENCE E. MASON, J OHN F. OLsoN. 

